Purpose: This structured speaking activity gives learners the chance to practice asking and answering questions. The repetition that the activity provides builds comfort with the language, as well as confidence and fluency.

Purpose: This silent activity gives learners a chance to develop their listening skills. It is helpful for learners who are not comfortable sharing answers aloud in class develop confidence in their listening abilities.

Laura Linder Scholer served with the Minnesota Literacy Council in 2011-2012 at ThreeSixty Journalism and as the VISTA Leader in 2012-2013. Laura now works as the Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Coordinator for the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. We had the opportunity to ask Laura about her VISTA experience and why the Alum Circle is important to her. Read more below!

Purpose: Total Physical Response (TPR) is a method of teaching that connects language with physical movement. Movement in language learning is an excellent way to boost memory. This listening activity helps to build learners’ understanding of language, and allows them to demonstrate understanding in a physical and low-pressure manner. Movement in the classroom also contributes to lowering learner stress levels.

In the third and final video of the CCRS in the ABE Classroom series, Dan Bruski of Hopkins ABE skillfully integrates a variety of teaching standards into his beginning level ESL class. During the lesson, learners work on strengthening their vocabulary, developing grammar and critical thinking skills, and using language in a communicative context.